Academic Resources

Throughout the university, faculty and staff in a number of different offices provide students with support and advising services designed to help them get the most out of their academic experience at UMass Boston, and to plan for their future. Some services are campus-wide; others are located within each of the colleges; some serve all UMass Boston students, while others focus on students with particular needs. The descriptions that follow are a guide to advising, support, and enrichment at UMass Boston.

Academic Advising

University Advising Center

Academic Advisors in the University Advising Center (UAC) partner with students to help assess their academic strengths, stay on track, and identify a target graduation date. They also work closely with faculty to ensure student success through the Student Referral Program.

Students without a declared major in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Mathematics, and students with fewer than 60 credits in the College of Management are assigned an advisor in the University Advising Center. The UAC also offers advising to non-degree students as well as students seeking an inter-college transfer.

An integral component of the UAC is the Testing Center which provides proctored testing services to UMass students as well as to the general public.

Pre-medical and allied health program advising is facilitated through the College of Science and Mathematics Student Success Center. More information can be found at www.umb.edu/premed.

Advising in the Colleges

Staff and faculty members at each of the university’s colleges provide academic advising that focuses specifically on the needs of majors or concentrators within the college. Most students, once they have declared a major, receive academic advising through these college-based services.

College of Advancing and Professional Studies: Advising is provided by faculty in the student’s majorCollege of Education and Human Development: Students receive advising in their major and concentration area by faculty and receive general education advising from staff within the Student Services Center.College of Liberal Arts: Students with a declared major receive advising from faculty advisors or departmental advisors in their major departments or from professional advisors in CLA Advising.College of Management: Students with more than 60 credits may seek advising from the professional advisors in the Undergraduate Program Office.College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Advising is provided by faculty and staff coordinated through the Office of Student Services.College of Science and Mathematics: Students are advised by faculty in their major departments, with complementary advising available through the Student Success Center.School for the Environment: Advising is provided by faculty in the school with support from the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Dean’s Office.

Career Services & Internships

Engaging students/alumni in the process of their career development and connecting them to employment opportunities is the focus of Career Services. The staff provide information for students and alumni about career opportunities, and facilitate contacts with prospective employers. Individual counseling and group seminars in career planning alert students to the many and varied career opportunities available and to the requirements of prospective employers as well as to the changing nature of employment opportunities. Seminars are offered to assist with résumé writing, interviewing techniques, and the job search. On-campus events such as job fairs and guest speakers are regularly scheduled.

An active on-campus interview program is arranged each year so that students may meet employers and discuss current openings. Career Services offers job-seeking students and alumni password access to Beacon Careers Online, an online job search and career information site. A Career Resource Library houses information on employment and salary statistics, as well as specific information on businesses, non-profit organizations, school systems, and government agencies. A bank of computers is available to allow students on-line access to employment information and job opportunities. An option for students is use of an online career assessment program. It identifies interests and personality traits as they relate to work options and career choices. A biweekly job bulletin is emailed to interested students and alumni.

Career Services also provides information on a variety of graduate study programs. Materials on many fields are available, as well as application forms for graduate and professional school admission tests. The staff provides special advising for students interested in the law and in management.

National Student Exchange and University of Massachusetts Exchange

The National Student Exchange Program offers UMass Boston students the opportunity to study at one of the nearly 200 participating colleges and universities in over 40 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, at a cost comparable to what they currently pay to attend UMass Boston. While on exchange, students can develop an increased awareness of academic, cultural, ethnic, and geographic diversity within the United States. More information can be found at https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/uac/special_programs/national_student_exchange.

The University of Massachusetts Exchange Program is designed to allow matriculated students from one undergraduate University of Massachusetts campus who meet all eligibility requirements to attend another undergraduate university campus full-time for a period of not more than two semesters. The program provides access to the variety and richness of the academic offerings of the participating campuses.

Study Abroad and International Exchange

UMass Boston students who wish to study outside the United States, whether for a summer or winter session, an academic semester, or an entire academic year, have a wide range of options available. Students may choose from over seventy programs offered through the University of Massachusetts; as well as short-term programs offered through University College and other educational institutions; or, with prior approval, direct enrollment in foreign universities.

International Student and Scholar Services

The International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) provides services to international (non-immigrant) students. The office assists them with immigration-related concerns, issues related to employment, and questions regarding their visa status, including, but not limited to, the Form I-20, DS 2019. In addition, the office oversees a mandatory information session for new international and exchange students.

Academic Support Programs

Academic Support Programs offers comprehensive coursework and programs with the goal of helping students to succeed at UMass Boston. Academic Support Programs’ focus is on academic instruction, tutoring, and assessment of students’ writing and critical thinking capabilities.

Undergraduate Studies

The Department of Undergraduate Studies oversees the general educationprogram, including the Writing Proficiency Requirement. They are here to provide you with information and guidance about general education curriculum and assessment, academic policy concerns, and waivers of certain academic requirements and deadlines.

Disability Services (Ross Center)

The mission of the Ross Center is to serve as a resource for the UMass Boston campus community in order to ensure academic access and inclusion for students, promoting a view of disability informed by social, cultural, and political forces. RCDS strives to create inclusive academic environments by advancing the construct of universal design throughout the university.

We accomplish this by providing academic accommodations, resources and training in assistive technology, and information to increase the understanding of disability throughout the university community. We would be happy to meet with any student who would like to discuss our registration process and what accommodations may be available to them.

Success Programs

Asian American Student Success Program

The Asian American Student Success Program (AASSP) is an academic support office. Its purpose is to help Asian American students gain admission to UMass Boston and to make sure they succeed academically, personally, and socially while they are here. Come see us for answers to any questions you may have during your time at the university. Feel free to seek our assistance whenever you need it; there is nothing to join or sign up for.

Success Boston Initiative

Success Boston is a citywide college completion initiative that provides resources aimed at doubling the college graduation rate of Boston Public School (BPS) students. The university has formed a Success Boston team of university administrators, staff, advisors, and coaches from nonprofit community agencies to work with our BPS graduates. The community agencies working with UMass Boston students are Boston Private Industry Council, Bottom Line, Freedom House, Inc., Hyde Square Task Force, Sociedad Latina, The Steppingstone Foundation, uAspire, and West End House Boys and Girls Club. The initiative has expanded to include support for students who graduated from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Chelsea High School, and transfer students from Roxbury Community College.

Student Support Services

The federally funded Student Support Services Program provides advising, counseling and educational support services to 500 UMass Boston undergraduates with academic need who are first-generation college attending, economically disadvantaged and/or have disabilities. First year students, along with upper-class peer tutor/mentors, participate in Foundations, an eight-week program to improve academic survival skills. Continuing students attend workshops designed to enhance their decision-making skills and to help them prepare for the world of work or graduate school. Throughout their academic careers at the university, students work closely with their assigned advisors to identify needs, and to develop and attain educational, professional and personal goals. Scholarship support is provided to first- and second-year students who have unmet financial need. In addition, intensive support is provided for students who are interested in majoring in a math or science field but need additional skill development in these areas.

Alternative Admissions Program (Directions for Student Potential)

Directions for Student Potential (DSP) is an intensive summer program designed to strengthen academic skills, and successful completion of the program guarantees admission to UMass Boston’s College of Liberal Arts or College of Science and Mathematics.

DSP is for motivated people who do not currently meet the admission requirements for the University but who demonstrate the potential to succeed at the college level. This is a comprehensive six-week summer program that prepares students for academic success at the University by helping them to improve their Verbal, Math, and English as a Second Language Skills.

Pre-Collegiate Programs

Admissions Guaranteed

Initiated in 1989 by UMass Boston, the Admission Guaranteed Program (AGP) assures admission to the university for students at select partner high schools. In keeping with the AGP mission, students who take courses in required subject areas and meet specific program and university admission criteria are assured admission to the university when they graduate from high school.

Talent Search (Project REACH)

UMass Boston’s Talent Search Program identifies middle and high school students in special and general education in the Boston Public Schools who have the potential for education at the post-secondary level, supports those students in the completion of a rigorous high school program of study, and encourages them to enroll in programs of post-secondary education. High school and post-secondary dropouts are also encouraged and assisted in returning to school. Program counselors provide college preparation and career awareness workshops for participants during the school day. Additionally, program staff provide after-school tutoring, host visits to UMass Boston and other college campuses, and assist with college and financial aid applications.

2016-2017 was the first year of operation for the department’s newest program. The university’s second Talent Search project shares the mission and program design of its original Talent Search Program, Project REACH, and has been funded to serve 500 students per year (75 in middle and 425 in high school) at two schools: TechBoston Academy and Charlestown High School.

Upward Bound

Founded in 1965, the program at UMass Boston is one of the longest running Upward Bound (UB) programs in the country; it has enjoyed continuous funding since its inception. The program provides high-quality, year-round services to low-income, first-generation college-bound students, and to students at high risk of academic failure. In addition to an academically intensive six-week summer residential component, UB provides structured study sessions, after-school tutoring, college and career readiness activities, and cultural field trips. Seniors in the program receive extensive assistance with the college and financial aid application process.

Upward Bound Math/Science

Representing a successful public-private partnership between the university and the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, the program has been continuously funded since 1990. Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS) offers a rigorous curriculum, providing participants from Lawrence High School with courses in advanced math, advanced sciences, English, history, foreign language, and computer science during a six-week residential summer program, which culminates with a four-day tour of colleges. Participants also attend an academic-year program one Saturday each month. UBMS also provides after-school tutoring at Lawrence High School.

Urban Scholars

Since 1983, Urban Scholars has served academically striving students—especially those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds—from partnering Boston public schools. The program provides participants with the skills and motivation necessary to achieve at the highest levels of their potential through rigorous courses, college advising, and enrichment. The program year culminates in a six-week summer institute, which takes place at UMass Boston. Many Urban Scholars students participate in paid career internships and college-level courses.